Zimbabwe’s military warns Mugabe

Zimbabwe’s army chief has warned President Robert Mugabe to end the purge in the country’s ruling Zanu-PF party or the military would step in, the BBC reports.

This warning is coming a week after President Robert Mugabe fired his deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, a move widely seen as clearing the path for Mugabe’s wife, Grace, to become president.

Mr. Mnangagwa, a former defence minister, who was once seen as a possible president, has since fled into exile.

On Monday, Army Chief Constantino Chiwenga, told a news conference attended by 90 senior army officers that the removal of people who were involved in the independence struggle, like Mr. Mnangagwa, would not be tolerated.

Although he did not mention the president by name, the warning is understood to be directed at the 93-year-old Mr. Mugabe.

The general said, “The current purging which is clearly targeting members of the party with a liberation background must stop forthwith,”.

“The Squabbling between politicians has led to no meaningful development in the country for the past five years”

“We must remind those behind the current treacherous shenanigans that when it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in.”